Bolivia inaugurates Science and Technology Research Center to develop domestic lithium production

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – “We are making history by inaugurating Bolivia’s Center for Research in Science and Technology of Materials and Evaporites in Yocalla, Potosío. We will develop science and technology to industrialize our lithium for the benefit of Bolivians,”  President Arce said.

Arce recalled that Bolivia is home to the world’s largest lithium reserves, with the state having invested over 58 million Bolivianos (US$8 million) in infrastructure and 36 million Bolivianos in the most advanced mining equipment.

He also stressed the power of science and technology which, coupled with the amount of resources available to the Plurinational State, will help close the gap between Bolivia and other nations.

“This is our Community and Productive Social Economic Model, to industrialize our wealth and redistribute income among all Bolivians,” president Arce explained.

Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy Franklin Molina said that the new facility is part of a construction project of great importance for the sector, around the Uyuni salt flats.

State-owned company Yacimiento de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) stated that this research center is equipped with high-tech analysis, classification and scaling equipment, which will provide technical support for the industrialization of the country’s salt flats and the subsequent production of lithium batteries in the country.